Dearest Simone,

The second visit was worse than the first because. It seems her animosity toward me reached a different kind of height. It's palpable. I was sent back to my carriage before I could even step through her doors.

However, I must say that I'm not losing hope. Her youngest daughters found out about the purpose of my visits and invited me into their home on the third day. The youngest is by far the most understanding. Yesterday, I helped Mrs. Craig with one of her broken windows, but I'm afraid I only made matters worse. I had to order for a carpenter to finish the job and fix what I broke. It still baffles me that the Craigs served me tea. Do you think that could be considered progress? I could not tell because the tea tasted like sawdust. And before I went home, Mrs. Craig grudgingly gave me fresh biscuits to take home to Emmeline.

What of your day? I hope nothing untoward happened. It rained here yesterday and I'm wondering if it also did in Abberton. Don't venture out if that were so. The grounds are soft and not ideal for someone with your unbelievably graceful footing.

Emmeline changed the curtains in my villa. They're now white, which made a big difference in the parlor. It allowed the scant sunlight we get here in Coulway this season. The cobbled streets are constantly wet here, the sky gloomy. The only life we get are the numerous parties, which I don't particularly enjoy, as I still prefer the attention I get on stage over the one I have to endure as a duke. Emmeline, however, enjoys the balls we're invited to.

Another week and we'll win the wager, yes? I think I will stay here a little longer, then. But be certain to keep my winnings for I will most certainly go back for them.

Web is in town and has invited me for drinks. I will tell you more in my next letter.

I miss you, Sisi. When I see your window across from mine, when I walk down the same path we walked in the rain and that afternoon your pearls flew out of your hair, I miss you.

Yours then and always,

Daniel

***

After he sent his letter, which would arrive in Abberton in three days, Daniel came by Mrs. Craig, surprised when she walked out the door with luggage. Her eldest daughter was due to give birth any day soon and she would stay there for weeks to help her daughter recuperate.

"I'll take you there. Please allow me."

She took a moment to consider his offer before she huffed and said, "If you insist."

Their ride was quiet and awkward despite the festive mood from the fair they passed by. He did not know what to do, nor say, so he fiddled his thumb, biting the inside of his cheek. If she was staying with her daughter, did that mean he could not bother her? Was this why she was going there in the first place?

He should stop his thoughts, he told himself. He was beginning to sound like a bloody stalker.

"Do you have a wife?" she asked, breaking her silence.

"N-No."

She scoffed. "That explains how you find the time to pester me."

His mouth broke into a smile. "I have someone who is kind enough to wait for me."

"Wait for you?" Her almost-angry face broke into a frown, and then a scowl. "You dare make her wait?"

He nodded. "I have other things to do first."

Understanding crossed Mrs. Craig's face and it fell quiet again. They rode for a few blocks before she seriously said, "I don't know why you think you deserve forgiveness from me. You don't."

He stopped breathing at her words, and he felt his world slowly collapse beneath him.

"There's nothing to forgive."

"I wronged your husband."

"Maybe," she said with a shrug. "Maybe I should blame you for your great love for your craft and the lack of empathy for others like my husband because of it. But how could I? You were not friends, your relationship strictly professional. You had a job to do and he had his. The only difference was that you were healthy and he wasn't." Her eyes were stern as she stonily repeated, "There's nothing to forgive."

She looked away while all he could do was stare at her, lost for words. He had always thought he did not need her forgiveness, but after what she just said, he realized he had been lying to himself. He wanted her forgiveness, after all. But if she thought there was nothing to forgive, what was there for him to do?

"But you cannot blame me for being angry," she said, pulling him back inside the carriage, in the present moment. "I see you and I'm reminded of my late husband and how he must have felt when he was forced to continue his work. I remember the pain and the suffering we had to go through after his death." She scoffed, shaking her head, still refusing to look at him. "And I feel guilty because I used your money. I spent it to provide a comfortable life for myself and my daughters." Her eyes skittered to him and back to the view outside the window. "I did not even bother to find out where the money comes from because I was afraid to know it was all a mistake and they'd stop coming, or worse, we'd be forced to pay back everything we've received. I allowed myself to be comfortable with the ignorance and it bothers me that I'm still glad I was left in the dark."

His jaw tightened. "Mrs. Craig—"

"This anger shall pass, so be free of your guilt. You have more than paid for it." She looked at him. "If you want your money back, I will find a way—"

"No. It was all I could do."

She nodded, more like assuring herself. "I will shamelessly accept your generosity. But please stop sending them."

He meant to disagree, but he recognized the shattered pride in her eyes. So, he nodded.

***

Two hours later, Daniel walked through the doors of his gentleman's club, Stark's, where he found Web already waiting. His friend slid the glass of brandy across the table with a look of concern that bordered on amusement. "I came as soon as I heard you left Abberton earlier than planned."

Daniel hissed at the effect of the drink and gave his friend a smile of gratitude. "How kind of you to think I'll be needing your comforting presence."

Web leaned back, wavy light brown hair falling over his forehead as he shook his head at Daniel with a pitiful smile. "I also heard you have been fixing windows."

"Window. Just one," he corrected. Then he frowned. "How did you know?"

"Has anyone ever told you that the walls in Picadilly are too thin? And also, my valet presses his ears against the walls when he's bored. Add the fact that your servants can be a little too loud when they're in a panic to find the best carpenter in Coulway, one who could fix something broken after already being broken."

Daniel's laughter rang around the almost empty room. "Ah, yes, the walls." Shaking his head, a grin pasted on his face, he asked, "Are your servants from Abberton?"

His friend proudly replied, "Bred and trained, Your Grace."

Over their laughter, Daniel managed to utter, "Understandable."

An easy silence passed between them. Web's smile gentled as he regarded Daniel, a certain kind of understanding passing between them. Daniel realized that, as it always had been between them, he did not have to say much.

"I can sense you're feeling a little better," Web noted.

"Much, I believe," he said, drawing a long breath with a smile.

Slowly, Web nodded, then sighed. "Well, I'm glad you are. You look like someone who finally found solid ground after two months on a ship getting seasick."

He smiled, looking around the club, acknowledging the subtle greetings from a few gentlemen in the room, before he returned his attention to his friend. "How long will you be staying in Coulway?"

"Not long. I'm only here for some business and to be a shoulder to cry on." Web dramatically sighed. "But all you want is brandy."

Again, Daniel laughed, and they continued on to talk about business and then jumped to reliving stories from their years in Butler. They discussed other friends and even joined a quick game of cards when more members arrived.

Later, as they settled back to brandies and stories, Daniel changed the subject, asking, "When are you returning to Abberton?"

Web threw him a curious look. "Why do you ask?"

"Your sister misses you."

Web's brows arched in surprise. "Sisi?"

He nodded. "I do not wish to meddle, but I think she gets lonely when you're away."

"One never gets lonely in Abberton."

He nodded, carefully choosing his next words. "One can be in a room full of people and still long for those who are not present. As an older brother to another, I suggest you write to her now and then."

"But I do."

He cocked a brow. "Truly?"

Web's eyes narrowed. "Of course! In fact, I also write to the others. Sisi may not tell me everything, but I know almost everything she's up to. Do you remember Francis Skelton?"

"The animal doctor?"

"The very one, yes. He's now courting my sister."

Daniel went cold. "She is still entertaining suitors?"

"Damon's letter from last week certainly says so." Web paused in the act of drinking. "What made you think otherwise?"

His jaw clenched as he blinked away. "Nothing," he murmured. "I thought she had no interest in the three suitors. Emmeline told me." The last part was a lie, the first a hopeful thought.

"Well, let's hope Skelton changes that. Sisi should easily find him interesting, don't you agree? That she loves animals and he an expert on them is a good enough start." Daniel watched his friend empty his glass, knowing Web had more to say. "As a matter-of-fact, I heard there's a wager on their match."

Daniel nearly choked on his drink. He coughed and scowled. "A wager?"

"Yes. And as I heard, the stakes are higher than the one they had with you."

He picked up his drink and gulped hard, looking around the room as he drew in a long, angry breath. To his frustration, nothing in the club offered the reassurance he needed. There was nothing but the strong reminder that he was days away from Abberton while Skelton was possibly just a mile away from Simone at the moment. Or even closer if he was in the courtyard with a bunch of flowers.

So suddenly, he was overwhelmed with a sense of panic. It might have been the drink, but he was certain it wasn't.

"Where are you going?" Web asked and Daniel realized he had jumped to his feet.

"I forgot I need to escort Emmeline to a ball this evening," he said, movements edgy. "I'll see you soon."

How long had it been since he left Abberton? A week? And he was planning to stay here longer? Was he crazy?

Not long after he left Web at Stark's, he was jumping out of his carriage and running up the steps of his villa in Picadilly. Knowing where to find her, he swung the door to the parlor open. Emmeline yelped in surprise. "Daniel! Good God, you startled me! What happened?"

"Pack your bags," he breathlessly said, his body barely in the room. "We're leaving."

"But where—"

"Abberton."